I just finished reading the new "Artful Blogging" magazine and was inspired to take some time to update my blog. I have never been one for New Year's resolutions but I do get inspired when spring is just around the corner. I make a big list of things to do and attack it head on. I started a major clean sweeping of my studio and found a pile of UFO's so I decided that my spring resolution was to finish the things that I still liked and wanted to finish and give away anything I didn't. We have a long and very harsh winter so I look forward to opening the windows and creating new things with the smell of spring, the sound of birds and a warm breeze. My camera is coming up to the studio with me and I will track my progress!

Spending a creative day with my granddaughters is one of my favourite activities.

Creativity begins here

Cut, paste, collage.....life doesn't get any better.

Summer is finally here. I have spent the past 9 months recovering from shoulder surgery and am anxious to get back in my studio full time. Forced time off can be a good thing in the end because you come back with your creative juices flowing and your energy renewed.
This past spring I joined a few friends and we had a quilters' yard sale. It felt so good to clean sweep my studio and get rid of stuff I am not likely ever going to use. Sometimes you just have to purge. It was interesting to go through all the things I have lovingly collected and recall when and where I got them (and sometimes why and what was I thinking??).
I look forward to working in a space that is a little less cluttered. I have a wonderful 4' x 8' cutting table and that is the place where I spend most of my studio time. I have a stack of projects just waiting to be started and a head full of ideas. I can't wait to dig in!

Winter Quilt Retreat

In two weeks I will be knee deep in projects at originellie's annual Winter Quilt Retreat. Once again the retreat has sold out with a waiting list. It should be a wonderful weekend. Donna Taylor has worked her magic and donated two boxes of wonderful treats for the loot bags. I can hardly wait to fill them.
I am keeping my fingers crossed for good weather and looking forward to visiting with everyone. I am hoping to get some quilting done. Christine was kind enough to cut out 2 projects with her Acucut which was amazing. I still can't rotary cut so this was a great way to get a quilt cut out and ready to sew - I'm even attempting curved piecing!

Winter News

It's almost the end of January. I've had a long 4 months recovering from shoulder surgery and have been out of my studio the whole time. I am anxious to get back to work. A couple more months and I should have full use of my shoulder and arm. I was so sure I would be able to get tons done during my "time off" but that was not the case.

February is going to be a month of slowly catching up. The Winter Quilt Retreat is full and everyone is anxiously planning which projects and how many projects they will take to work on. I have yet to finish all the quilts I take - I am always very ambitious but not too realistic. I am looking forward to seeing everyone and having some time to visit and catch up on all the news. Once again Donna Taylor of Taylor's Sewing Centre has outdone herself with loot bag donations. I know I speak for everyone when I say how much her efforts and generosity is appreciated.

I have taken this year off from teaching which was needed but I really miss seeing everyone. I hope 2012 will be a time to come up with lots of new and exciting workshop ideas. A whole year in my studio should be a very creative and productive time for me. I hope that 2012 is a creative year for everyone. Take a little time each day to live your creative life.

Summer Days

Summer in the 1000 Islands is so incredibly beautiful. Blue skies, bright sun and warm temperatures with a cooling breeze off the St Lawrence RIver. It is hard to think about quilting when the weather is so gorgeous. I'm working on one of our Northcott quilts but I don't seem to be getting much done.
Taylor's Sewing Centre had their teacher's meeting yesterday and soon the new schedule for Fall will be out. There will be lots of wonderful classes for all skill levels.  I won't be teaching this semester as I am having shoulder surgery. It will be strange to have an empty slate this fall. I've been making a list of all the things I can do with one arm!
Christine and I took a card making class last week and I'm having fun using up some of my scrap booking supplies. We also spent a day at the cottage painting fabric. I am trying to have a very creative summer.  I am taking pottery classes with my daughter Monica at Krista Cameron's studio. Last night we made beautiful bowls and platters and next week we will start working on the wheel. I haven't thrown pots in over 30 years. It should be interesting. I also started my art journal and plan to work on it all year. All my years of collecting things and now I finally have time to use them. My goal is to do something creative every day.